Page 28 of Red Demon (Oria #1)
The Gift
W hen no work order came from the North Barrack the following week, we welcomed the break.
Asher was able to spend every day in Mira’s lab, and I trained longer and harder in the mornings, focusing on teaching a few new kids a few years younger than me.
Those few years were huge, as I’d now shed the last misgivings about considering myself a man.
In the afternoons, I took time to cut some firewood for the winter, dropping some to Atalia and Meragc since they let me borrow their horse cart for the hauling. Then I’d meet up with Mira and Ash, and walk home, and listen to Ash tell me about that day’s failed diagnostic attempt.
I love how the air shift in a Noé summer—the smooth green aroma that promises growth and renewal, and all the warmth my skin can soak up.
I love how bright the once stark and cool world becomes, and in such moments, it’s easy to feel like all my nightmares are behind me.
Back then, whenever the nightmares quite literally did not go away, I shuttered my thoughts away at first light, walking the dawn path to beat or swing that darkness out in the clearing. That was good enough.
When no work order arrived after two weeks, Galen began to worry. The Barrack had ordered weekly shipments for years, except for occasional breaks around the festivals. He inquired and got non-committal answers. We cleaned the shop, organized the equipment—and waited.
I was taking a long lunch and rinsing some lentils and collards for dinner when I heard the shop door open with a ring. Wiping my hands on a towel, I hurried down the stairs.
When I saw the tall, broad-shouldered man in the red military uniform, my heart skipped for three reasons.
First, he’d be bringing that barrack order.
Second, it was Kane, a man with Asri eyes the color of molten gold and stormy seas and muscles everywhere, my favorite one-time sparring partner.
Yes, that one-time sparring partner. One look was enough to remember all the things he could do with that body, sparring or not, and just how that body felt against mine.
Voids, he was hot. Thirdly—if I could remember what I was counting and why—I had the shop and house to myself, and the bathhouse too, the safest place to spend a wonderful afternoon.
“Jesse, how have you been?” he asked in that deep voice, a smile playing on his lips as he looked me up and down. “You look well.”
“You don’t.” I sidled up beside him with a tsk , moving some of the hair from his sweaty face. “Looks like you had a long ride. Care for a cold drink upstairs? A hot meal?” My eyes dipped down to the hot meal I envisioned for myself, then back up. His smile glazed over.
Kane groaned, pressing his body into mine. “I was supposed to make the delivery and come right back, but I suppose I can come up with an excuse.” He nodded to the hefty package wrapped in coarse burlap on the counter. “Seems you’ve gotten the Major’s attention.”
The warmth tightening my pants chilled instantly. Attached to the parcel was a hand-inked note with the words: “To Galen’s son: I look forward to working with you soon. Regards, Mahakal.”
I set it down on the counter without opening it. Kane watched me with a smirk.
“Did Major Ryder send an order with you? There was nothing sent through the temple.”
Kane’s smile flickered. “Sorry, just this. But you don’t have to open it right now.”
He tried to lace a kiss on my neck, but I ducked away, unwrapping the twine on the burlap package with irritated swiftness. A sword, Chaeten steel of good quality, the blade dull. A small green LED blinked in slow rhythm on the grip, but when I touched it, nothing happened.
“What in the black void is this?” I turned the weapon over in my hands, the polished grip feeling cold against my skin. “Our shop makes better.”
Kane shrugged with a hint of unease that mirrored my own. “Maybe he’ll activate it for you when you start?” He smiled at my lips, then leaned in to whisper in my ear. “I’m so glad you’re pledging. I’m shipping out with Mahakal too. I’d love your bunk next to mine.”
My breath hitched. “I’m in no mood right now, Kane. I told Mahakal no.” The metallic tang of anger rose in my throat, but it wasn’t Kane’s fault.
He just looked confused. “He’s immortal, Jesse. Whether you mean fucking him or joining the unit, either way, missed opportunity.”
I could no longer mask my disgust. “Get the fuck out of here, Kane.” I stormed back upstairs, relaxing a bit when the door dinged closed.
He didn’t take the stupid sword back with him, so I brought it upstairs to stare at the audacity of it, wanting to hurl it into the wall to confirm that dull piece of shit couldn’t dent granite. I made tea instead. The door chime sang again. Slow footsteps plodded up the stairs.
Galen ambled by the window, framed in the pollen-dusted sunlight. Despair hung on my taam’s face where his smile lines usually cut parallel to Asher’s. Dread seeped the warmth from that summer day.
“What’s wrong?”
He didn’t speak, just shook his head and shuffled toward the worn bench. The weight he carried didn’t seem to ease as he sat, staring in dull silence across the small kitchen.
I grabbed a mug, the clay warm where it hung by the kettle, and poured him a cup of the catnip and mint tea I’d been brewing, the bubbling whisper frantic. His hand shook beside the cup.
“Taam, what’s wrong?”
A low breath. “The barrack is done with us. For good. The governor sat me down with Major Ryder to give me the news.”
My stomach clenched. The North Barrack was, by far, our top client. Without them… “Why?” I asked, the question laced with the panic that had been rising in me since before Galen stepped into the door.
“They’ve built a forge in the Bend, planning to use tech they only want Z’har knowing about. Offered me a job there if I pledge.”
“Pledge?” Disbelief warred with shadows. “They want you to become Z’har?”
A grimace twisted Galen’s lips. “I told them I prefer my freedom. While I have no trouble seeing myself as a servant to the people, I won’t be a slave, told where to sleep and when to rise.” He cast a curious glance at the wrapped weapon on the table. “What’s that?”
I unfurled the cloth. “Delivery from Mahakal. It’s shit, as far as I can tell.”
Galen picked up the blade, studying the tech-infused hilt. “It’s probably work from the new forge, although I don’t understand what he’s trying to say.”
“An insult? A power play? Does it matter which?” I spat. “And why was the governor getting involved in all this?” Then I remembered what Governor Solonstrong said at dinner. He felt it was his job to ensure my talents didn’t go to waste, that he’d do anything to ensure they didn’t.
My mouth went dry. He’d done just that.
Galen shook his head, his features numb, then took a deep meditative breath. “I’ll see if Oria will listen, although I’m not sure I’ve ever been that good at hearing them speak.” Another deep breath. “Ash has his mother’s ears though.”
“I’ll fetch him,” I said, wrapping the weapon to carry with me. Maybe he or Mira could make sense of it.